The Best Espresso Comes With a Dapper Gentleman On It

   As an espresso fiend, moving to Seattle was like the best dream I have ever had mulitplied by 10 and covered in unicorns and rainbows. Every Seattle block has at least one, usually two or three, coffee shops. I was in espresso heaven, imbibing at least 2 drinks a day. After weeks of jittery hands and a racing heartbeat, I was starting to burn out. It wasn't the delicious espresso itself that jaded me, it was the repetitive coffee shop experience. Most coffee shops have a hyper, in-a-hurry atmosphere, where business-types and hipsters seem to swarm in angry, nervous hordes. Heaven help you if you break coffee shop etiquette, you may be expelled from Coffee Kingdom by a buzzed out swarm of coffee snobs.

   Feeling melancholy and forlorn about my espresso woes, I wandered into my neighborhood coffee shop called Uptown Espresso. I was immediately enthralled by the odd and intriguing decor of the place. There were cute little tables everywhere with whimsical lamps on each one. There were also old, cozy wingback chairs, mismatched chandeliers, and opulant mirrors hanging on the walls. The place looked like it had been decorated by a titled English grandmother and the Mad Hatter. It was unique, charming, and completely appealed to my romantic sensibilities.

   But the true test would be the espresso. I feared the worst. A coffee shop that had that much personality could not possibly produce good espresso. I walked up to the counter and was greeted by the laid-back and hilarious baristas. I ordered my standard dirty, non-fat chai and held my breath. When my drink was finished the barista didn't just plop my drink down while flatly announcing what it was. She actually announced "This chai is like the men I date- tall, skinny, and dirty!" I laughed so hard I could barely accept my drink. I took a sip of what was certainly heaven. It was the best espresso I had ever tasted! Plus the cups have an awesome logo. I mean who is able to resist such a dapper, proper gentleman who is elegantly reclined in a chair while stirring his beverage. He looks like his name should be Basil or Baxter, and that he would be quite civil and charming when approached.So awesome! I have found my espresso soulmate at long last.